Thabahtoona threatens protest if student transportation subsidy lifted

AMMAN — The National Campaign for Defending Students’ Rights (Thabahtoona) warned that transportation fees for students will increase by 100 per cent after the subsidy on transportation is lifted, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.

Thabahtoona quoted a statement by Transport Minister Walid Masri, who announced his intention to limit the subsidy to “underprivileged students, only”, during his meeting with the Lower House’s financial committee.

The campaign said that the government should have increased subsidies to include more students, not impose limitations, stressing that ensuring accessible transportation to all universities is a right for students.

The statement also claimed that the announcement was “part of an International Monetary Fund-supported plan that seeks to gradually lift subsidies for education, healthcare and transport services”.

Thabahtoona referred to earlier incidents when the ministry cut subsidies for transportation companies several times, after which companies cancelled students’ discounts, leading students to wage protests until the service was restored.

In remarks to The Jordan Times, Transport Ministry Secretary General Anmar Khasawneh said, “The allegations about lifting subsidies are not true and we will continue supporting our students.”

“The ministry is just working on changing the subsidy system by either shifting into electronic payment cards, or coordinating with the Ministry of Higher Education to ensure it is providing subsidies to students in need,” Khasawneh explained. 

He described the current system as “random”, while saying the new system will better regulate the process.

Thabahtoona Coordinator Fakher Daas, charged that this is only “a twist to the same intention”.

“These suggestions obviously seek to limit the number of beneficiaries, and this will only increase students’ anger,” Daas told The Jordan Times, noting that many students work and study at the same time, to pay for their university fees, and cannot bear any further costs. 

“We call on the immediate suspension of this decision, which will harm the education process and make it only available for those who have money,” the statement said, warning of protests if their demands were ignored.

University students and student unions advocated for Thabahtoona’s statements and voiced support on social media.

Yaseen Allan, a university student, wrote, “Enough is enough. Don’t they know that half of the universities’ students are paying their fees through loans, charity funds or scholarships?”

“We do not even receive good service with the current subsidy. Busses are very old and shabby, with no ACs in summer, nor heaters in winter,” he lamented.